PAOAY, Ilocos Norte — Russian cyclist Nikita Shulchenko retained the overall lead in the MPTC Tour of Luzon after Stage 8, as Ryan Tugawin won the 157.4-kilometer leg from Pagudpud to Paoay on Thursday.
Shulchenko finished in 49th place in a large group that crossed the line 16 seconds behind Tugawin but kept his lead in the general classification. He led teammate Ibrahiem Alrefai by 1 minute and 38 seconds and Mervin Corpuz by 4 minutes and 15 seconds, with the top three unchanged after the stage.
Tugawin completed the course in 3 hours, 16 minutes and 58 seconds to secure the stage win. He outpaced Malaysia’s Ariff Danial Noor Roseidi and Marvin Mandac of Go for Gold Philippines in the final sprint.
Tugawin said Filipino riders coordinated during the stage to try to secure a win.
He said local riders aimed to win stages rather than allow foreign competitors to dominate. Tugawin added that he remained optimistic about Filipino riders’ chances in the remaining stages.
Race organizers said the peloton remained tightly grouped for most of the stage, limiting changes in the overall standings.
The race continues Friday with Stage 9, a 142.6-kilometer route from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Candon, Ilocos Sur.
